Russia Ban — Not allowed at 2018 Winter Olympics

The International Olympic Committee has ban Russia from competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. The ban is punishment for a state-sponsored doping program at the 2014 Games hosted by Russia in Sochi.

Breaking News: Russia has been barred from the 2018 Winter Games for systematic doping. It’s a punishment without precedent in Olympic history. https://t.co/lbc4eQDC2i

The Russian athletes who can prove they are clean will be allowed to compete in South Korea but only under a neutral flag. The IOC said of the punishment, “This should draw a line under this damaging episode.”

Thomas Bach, IOC president, and his board made the announcement in Lausanne on Tuesday. They came to the decision after reading through the findings of the 17-month long investigation into the 2014 Russian doping program. The IOC suspended the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) but said they will invite clean Russian athletes to compete in February under the name ‘Olympic Athlete from Russia’.

Russia adamantly denies the existence of a state-sponsored doping program but the Schmid report found evidence of “the systemic manipulation of the anti-doping rules and system.” The findings also backed up previous allegations of government involvement in cheating during the time leading up to the Winter Olympics almost four years ago.

The president of IOC also said, “This was an unprecedented attack on the integrity of the Olympic Games and sport. This should draw a line under this damaging episode and serve as a catalyst for a more effective anti-doping system.”

The Olympic games are slated to begin on February 9 but will one of the leading countries in Olympic sport will not be present.

Nick Dunki, Publisher/Contibutor
[email protected] of Project Republic. His passion for politics began at a young age, and continues to grow each and every day. Nicks goal of bringing honest, and thought provoking insight can be seen in his writing.